At a Glance

The French island of Martinique combines the best of European culture with the iconic beaches and palm trees of the Caribbean. This hidden gem in the Lesser Antilles boasts centuries of fascinating history and some of the finest natural wonders in the Caribbean. Join local naturalists to explore the island’s vast emerald-green rainforest, white sand beaches and imposing volcano. Traverse the island from top-to-bottom, taking field trips to engaging museums and historic villages as you learn unique history of Martinique — the “Isle of Flowers.”

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking and standing up to three miles a day.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Survey 18th-century Creole architecture and learn the intricacies of the French West Indian Creole lifestyle.

Join a seasoned naturalist to explore the lush rainforest of Emerald Fields, home to over 100 native species.

Learn about Martinique’s slave history at a faithfully recreated sugar plantation and “free slave” village.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Sylvie Regina

Sylvie Regina has had a variety of roles in Marketing, Tourism, Translation and Education in Martinique, Canada and in New York City. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French, conversational is German and Italian. Sylvie completed her basic education in Martinique and her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Paris, France. She currently teaches Middle School in Fort de France.

Antigua-born Kincaid meditates on the politics, history and culture of the islands in these remarkable short essays. A useful antidote to the usual fun-in-the-sun approach of the local tourist office, the book shines a light on the poverty, corruption and startling beauty of the Caribbean.

Parker interweaves the histories of the Caribbean, the Industrial Revolution and the British Empire with the human stories of visitors and slaves, overseers and soldiers and families whose fortunes rose and fell on the sugar of the West Indies.

Novelist and travel writer Naipaul tackles the history of the Caribbean and northern South America in this incisive portrait. With chapters on Trinidad, British Guiana (Guyana), Suriname, Martinique and Jamaica.

Patrick Leigh Fermor's first book, "still the best piece of travel writing on the Caribbean" (The Guardian), takes him to Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica, Barbados, Trinidad and Haiti, among other islands.

A long poem that became an anthem for the African diaspora and the Negritude movement. A lifelong resident of Martinique, Cesaire was one of the founders of the negritude movement in Francophone literature.

The story of Saint-Pierre, Martinique, "the Paris of the Caribbean", which was completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Pelee in 1902. It also focuses on one of the few survivors of the eruption, Ludger Sylbaris (born Louis-Auguste Cyparis), who was locked in the town jail at the time of the eruption, and later became a sideshow act for Barnum & Bailey's Circus.

Vanderhoof (An Embarrassment of Mangoes) is back aboard her sailboat in the Caribbean in these latest encounters with the characters and cuisine of the islands. She pairs lively accounts with 71 recipes she learned along the way.

Activity note: Please note that due to Martinique's tropical climate, you may experience high levels of humidity during the program.

Afternoon: We will meet our Group Leader outside the baggage claim area, then transfer as a group by private motorcoach to the hotel for check-in.

Dinner: We’ll sit down to a light dinner with main course and dessert, accompanied by a glass of French wine and coffee, tea, and water; other beverages available for purchase. We’ll introduce ourselves and begin getting acquainted with our fellow Road Scholars.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Please note that the order of events in the schedule may change according to the flight departure day.

DAY

2

Orientation, Fort-de-France

Martinique

B,L

La Pagerie Hotel

Activity note: Walking about 1/4 mile, approximately 12 minutes to ferry; flat, paved sidewalks and road. Ferry ride approximately 20 minutes, open and covered areas. In Fort de France, walking up to 3 miles and standing.

Morning: Orientation. We’ll gather in the hotel conference room where the Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Transportation for field trips will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events on your own, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll then set out with our Group Leader and walk to the Pointe du Bout marina and take the ferry across the bay to Fort-de-France. Upon arrival, a local expert will lead our walking field trip to explore Martinique’s capital city and see highlights such as the colorful central market, the Aimé Césaire Museum, and the Bibliothèque Schoelcher (Library). This small museum is dedicated to the renowned poet, playwright and politician, Aimé Césaire (1913-2008), one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated cultural figures. He was a long-serving Mayor of Fort-de-France and a Deputy from Martinique to the French National Assembly, honored throughout the French-speaking world. Unique in its architecture, the Schoelcher Library was built in France for the World Exposition of 1889. It was then dismantled, shipped to Martinique, and reassembled piece by piece as a monument to the 19th Century French abolitionist writer Victor Schoelcher.

Lunch: At a traditional restaurant, we’ll have a 2-course meal featuring Creole specialties plus coffee, tea, water. Martinican cuisine is a mélange of African, French, Carib and South Asian flavors using local produce.

Afternoon: After returning on the ferry back to the hotel, we’ll gather for a lecture by a university professor to learn how the economy of Martinique operates as an overseas department of France. We’ll then walk to a nearby restaurant to enjoy conversation and cultural interaction with local Martinicans over an apéritif.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are numerous choices in the area around the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

3

Domaine d’Emeraude, Balata Gardens, Le Carbet Beach

Martinique

B,L

La Pagerie Hotel

Activity note: Walk to ferry, cross bay; full day of travel by motorcoach over winding, sometimes mountainous roads. Walking about 1/4 mile, approximately 45 minutes at Emerald Domaine and again at the Balata Gardens; paved and unpaved paths.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll walk to the marina and take the ferry to Fort-de-France, where we’ll board a private motorcoach. Heading north, we’ll drive through the center of the island to the town of Le Morne-Rouge situated on a plateau between Mount Pelée and the Carbet Peaks. At the Balata Gardens enjoy the lovely tropical flower collections and scenic viewpoints on a self-guided walk. We continue our journey a short distance to the Domaine d’Emeraude (Emerald Field) nature reserve, we’ll meet a naturalist who will lead our walking field trip through the lush green rainforest that provides habitat for more than 100 native species. We’ll learn about the island’s formation, its unique biodiversity, economic development through the revival and study of rare and endangered plants, and sustainable land use.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll drive south along the coast to St. Pierre, the former capital of the island, and learn how it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. We’ll move on to Le Carbet beach for sunset and enjoy a typical Martinique rum cocktail (or fruit juice). We’ll also learn from a chef how to make accra, the cod fish fritter that is the most popular appetizer on the island. Happy and relaxed, we’ll return to the hotel.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

4

Cap 110, Moulin de Val d’Or, Grande Anse, Les Salines Beach

Martinique

B,L

La Pagerie Hotel

Activity note: Full day of travel by motorcoach; winding, sometimes hilly roads. Walking and standing outdoors at the mill, approximately 45 minutes.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll drive along the southern coast of the island to Cap 110 and stop to view the moving sculpture memorial to victims of the slave trade. It was at this spot in 1830 that an illegal slave ship ran aground during a storm. Out of some 300 slaves on board, only 86 were rescued. We’ll continue to the southeast corner of the island and the Moulin de Val d’Or (Golden Valley Mill), a faithful reconstruction of what was one of the largest sugarcane mills in the Caribbean. Through the explanation of historical interpreters, we’ll learn how sugarcane was milled using human and animal power.

Afternoon: Free Time. We’ll have time to relax or stroll on the Les Salines beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean with expanses of white sand and palm trees. We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy the local fare of your choice.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

5

La Savane des Esclaves, Pottery Village

Martinique

B

La Pagerie Hotel

Activity note: Walking up to 1/4 mile at a time, approximately 1 hour at Slaves Savannah and the Pottery Village plus standing; paths and unpaved ground.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll depart for a field trip to La Savane des Esclaves (the Savannah of Slaves). This re-creation of a “free slave” village, circa 1800, illustrates the experience of slaves who escaped plantations and lived off the land. We’ll walk through the village with a docent and learn about the history of Martinique’s people from the indigenous Arawaks to the heritage of these “Nègre marrons.” Moving back to Les Trois Îlets, we head to the Pottery Village. The site formerly housed a Jesuit convent, and has been the location of tile, brick and pottery manufacturing since the 18th century. The crumbling former slave street was used as a film location for the film “Sugar Cane Alley”. In a private meeting room, we’ll have a presentation by a local expert on the people and cultural heritage of Martinique. Afterwards, you will have some free time to visit the artisan area, before returning to the hotel for a free afternoon.

Lunch: On your own in Pointe du Bout to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: The remainder of the afternoon is free. You could head to the local beach, browse the galleries in Pointe du Bout, or take the ferry back to Fort de France to explore a museum.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

6

Habitation Clément, Musée de la Banane, Bélé

Martinique

B,L

La Pagerie Hotel

Activity note: Full day of motorcoach travel on winding roads, with some hilly roads. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day, about 1 mile at Habitation Clément, standing indoors and outdoors up to 1.5 hours at a time; paved path with minor inclines.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We’ll board our motorcoach and drive southeast to Habitation Clément. We’ll have audio guides to enhance our self directed exploration. We’ll see historic 18th century Creole architecture recalling the French West Indian Creole lifestyle of this still operating sugar mill and rum distillery. We’ll also stroll through the grounds that have been designated a “Remarkable Garden” by the Ministry of Culture and National Council of Parks and Gardens. The nearly 40 acres (16 hectares) contain some 300 species of plants and trees from tropical regions of the world as well as modern art sculpture. We’ll browse the Caribbean art exhibition in the newly constructed gallery, then learn how rum was made in the past and now with modern techniques. Next, we’ll drive along the western coast to Musée de la Banane, the Banana Museum.

Lunch: At the museum, we’ll enjoy Creole cuisine.

Afternoon: This small museum is surrounded by banana plants, including hundreds of varieties from around the world. With a museum docent, we’ll learn surprising facts about bananas and walk through the gardens to see an amazing array of flowers and types of bananas. We’ll move on to a cultural center and learn about Bèlè, a traditional dance that developed here hundreds of years ago. We’ll see a performance of this dance that combines African and Caribbean traits in flirtatious back-and-forth movements between a man and a woman, accompanied by drums. We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy the local fare of your choice.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

7

Free Day for Independent Exploration

Martinique

B,D

La Pagerie Hotel

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Free Time.

Dinner: At a restaurant near the hotel, we’ll have a farewell dinner to celebrate our exploration of this outpost of France in the Caribbean. Share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Morning: Early morning group transfer by private motorcoach to the airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program.

Meals

13 Meals

7 Breakfasts

4 Lunches

2 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegetarian

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

The Martinique program was full of adventure, and there was never a dull moment. The Flex part of the program allowed individuals to pursue their own interests during the planned activities, and the small group structure worked very well. I want to return to Martinique, perhaps with Road Scholar, but I will make my own transportation arrangements, just so I can avoid JFK International Airport. Contingency planning is not that airport's forte. (At the start of our trip, our Norwegian Airlines plane had to return to JFK, due to a lightning strike possibly knocking out the navigation equipment). The ground/ticketing personnel at JFK were not ready to accommodate us or even keep us informed, resulting in long, long standing and waiting periods and some chaos. It made for a long night. The rest of the trip was worth the effort, and the Group Leader and Instructors were absolutely spot-on! This was a beautiful place, with a very interesting history. I look forward to returning.

Allure of Martinique is a chance to spend a week getting to know the island's beauty, beaches, rain forest, mountains, and food. What was more important to me was the chance to get a different tourist perspective by meeting local people for in depth discussions and learning about the island's history, culture, and economy. Road Scholar mades that possible.

Our first Roads Scholar trip and what a gem! Great combination of beautiful tropical weather and rich history make this a perfect winter venture. The hotel was excellent, the food...well it is French, and the easy access to Port of France by ferry (5 minute walk) make this a great location. The way that the history of slavery is dealt with is particularly compelling. I recommend this trip highly.

I just returned (March 7) from a delightful visit to Martinique. The hotel (La Pagerie) was very comfortable with good beds, linens, and strong shower. The pool area is lovely with plenty of towels supplied. The breakfast buffet was large, varied, and delicious. I suggest you bring a wash cloth and shampoo and conditioner as these were not supplied. They did have a combo bodywash-shampoo however. Also, carry a small lightweight umbrella as it did rain a little almost every day but cleared up very quickly. The tour leader, Corinne, was superb. She is very knowledgeable, organized, and welcoming to the group. Casual clothes will take you everywhere. No need to bring anything fancy. Norwegian Air was very comfortable. There was plenty of leg room even with these economy seats. We weren't crammed in like on American or United. However, nothing is free on the flight not even water. They do offer food and drinks for sale with payment by credit card only. There are ATM's around to get euros. Bon Voyage!

The program was masterfully designed and balanced to enable us to experience and begin to understand the culture, history, sociology, natural world and culinary delights of Martinique. Corinne is a group leader "par excellence" who enriched our travels a hundredfold.

The group leader, Corinne, is outstanding. She is very knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The field trips, activities, lectures, and other learning experiences are consistently informative, interesting, and fun. The hotel and meals were very good. The physical beauty of Martinique and the friendliness of its people will charm you. And so will the rum punch which is offered just about everywhere you go!